Apical Development in Triticale Grown for Dual Purpose in a Mediterranean Environment

Abstract

Apical development in three triticale varieties grown for dual use (forage and grain) was studied in southern Spain during 1991. Three treatments were compared: CO, an uncut control; C30, one cutting made at Zadoks’ stage 30 (pseudo stem erection); and C31, one cutting made at stage 31 (first node detectable). The cuttings significantly delayed the terminal spikelet stage, this effect being more pronounced after cutting at stage 31. The treatments, however, significantly reduced the duration from this last stage to the anthesis. The number of primordia at the terminal spikelet stage, anthesis and physiological maturity, was only significantly diminished after C31 treatment. The forage removal reduced the rate of spikelet initiation, the lowest values obtained from C31 treatment. The spikelet losses from the terminal spikelet stage to maturity were significantly higher in the treatment C30.